Luke Chapter 6 · Verse 12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Original Language Analysis
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις
days
G2250
ἡμέραις
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
5 of 19
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ταύταις
G3778
ταύταις
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
6 of 19
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
8 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προσευχῇ
prayer
G4335
προσευχῇ
prayer
Strong's:
G4335
Word #:
17 of 19
prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
Cross References
Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;Mark 6:46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.Mark 1:35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.Colossians 4:2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;Matthew 6:6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.Psalms 22:2O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Historical Context
Mountains provided solitude for prayer away from crowds. Jesus regularly retreated to isolated places for prayer (Luke 5:16, 9:18, 9:28). The twelve apostles would become foundation stones of the church (Ephesians 2:20), making their selection critically important. Jesus' prayer-saturated life contrasts with modern activism that prioritizes action over communion with God. First-century rabbis gathered disciples, but Jesus' apostolic selection followed intense prayer, showing these men were divinely chosen, not merely recruited.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' all-night prayer before choosing apostles teach about seeking God's wisdom for important decisions?
- How does Jesus' pattern of extended prayer challenge modern ministry that prioritizes activity over communion with God?
Analysis & Commentary
Before choosing the twelve apostles, Jesus 'went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.' The Greek 'dianyktereō' (δι αν υκτερεύω, continue through the night) emphasizes extended, intensive prayer. Jesus consistently prayed before major decisions and events, modeling dependence on the Father. Choosing apostles—men who would lead the church—required divine wisdom. All-night prayer demonstrates the seriousness of apostolic selection and teaches that crucial decisions demand extended, focused communion with God.